Chapter 4

My mother-in-law, Delia, had already said she would take care of the rest of the divorce proceedings. If I wanted to leave, I could simply pack my things and go.

After regaining some strength in the afternoon, I completed the hospital discharge procedures.

When I got home, I didn't pack any of my own belongings except for a few documents and some clothes. Instead, I left most of the space in the suitcase for my daughter's things.

My daughter had a lot of stuff. Although Harlow didn't like me or her daughter, she hadn't skimped on money for her. I wouldn't lower my daughter's quality of life for some inexplicable reason.

But I didn't take anything that was bought with Harlow's money.

I only took the gifts I'd bought for her birthdays and Christmases each year, using the money I'd earned from occasional odd jobs.

So in the end, the suitcase wasn't even full.

It was at this moment that Harlow came back.

When she pushed open the door, she saw me coming down from upstairs.

Seeing the suitcase in my hand, she sneered coldly.

"What, finally had enough? Starting to run away from home?"

I didn't want to talk to her. I was about to leave with my suitcase when she grabbed my arm and yanked me hard. I stepped back from her sudden movement, and in my weakened state, I was caught off guard and thrown to the ground.

As I reached for my fallen suitcase, Harlow stomped on my hand.

Seeing the pain on my face, a cruel smile spread across hers.

"You think you can leave without my permission? Not a chance."

She ground her heel into my wrist, leaning down to hiss, "Consider this punishment for your disobedience. I'll be away on business for a few days. When I return, I hope you'll have abandoned any foolish notions of running away."

With that, she finally lifted her foot.

"Why bother?" I asked dully, cradling my swollen hand as she turned to leave. "If you hate me so much, wouldn't it be better for both of us to part ways?"

"You don't get to decide what's best for me!"

She whirled back to face me, her eyes flashing with icy fury. "Let me make this crystal clear - you deceived me first. Until I say the word 'divorce,' you can forget about ever leaving me."

"If I catch you trying to run again, you'll regret it."

With that, she summoned two bodyguards with a wave of her hand.

"Keep a close eye on him for the next few days. He's not to leave this room, but you can give him anything else he wants."

"Yes, ma'am."

The two bodyguards' voices were full of vigor, clearly indicating they were professionals.

I suddenly looked up at Harlow.

Were these pre-arranged personnel? Did she know I was planning to leave and rushed back specifically?

Although Delia is Harlow's birth mother, I don't believe she intentionally leaked this information.

After Harlow left, I discovered at least five surveillance cameras in the house.

Looking at the near-complete coverage of the monitoring range, I couldn't help but laugh bitterly.

A three-year-old child can already communicate in simple ways.

If Harlow had paid even a little attention to her daughter, even if she left her alone at home for a date that day, she could have monitored her situation through the cameras at any time and intervened through the audio feed.

Our daughter could have been safe, but she did nothing.

She secretly installed so many cameras, yet did nothing but monitor my whereabouts.

Harlow, you've really good for nothing.

After the sarcasm faded, I pushed down my heartache and steeled myself.